Trump Confirms U.S. Airstrikes on ISIS Fighters in Northwest Nigeria
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that American military forces carried out airstrikes targeting terrorist elements operating in parts of northwest Nigeria, PulseNets learnt.
The strikes, according to Trump, were directed at armed groups accused of sustained violence, mass killings, and terror attacks across communities in the region.
The announcement, made on December 25, has since attracted global attention, as it directly links the United States to Nigeria’s protracted fight against insurgency and terrorism in its northern corridor.
Trump said the operation was authorised under his powers as Commander-in-Chief and described the mission as a calculated military action against ISIS-affiliated fighters believed to be active in the area.
Speaking on the rationale behind the strikes, Trump accused the militants of deliberately targeting civilians, with particular emphasis on Christian communities.
According to him, the fighters had been “brutally murdering mostly innocent Christians at a scale not witnessed for many years, even centuries,” adding that prior warnings had been issued before decisive action was taken.
“Acting on my direct order as Commander in Chief, U.S. forces tonight executed a lethal and overwhelming strike on ISIS terrorists in northwest Nigeria,” Trump stated.
“These terrorists were warned clearly: end the slaughter of Christians or face severe consequences. Tonight, that warning was enforced.”
Trump further claimed the military campaign involved what he described as multiple precision strikes, stressing that the operation was executed with speed, accuracy, and overwhelming force.
He added that the mission was carried out by the U.S. Department of War, insisting that his administration would not tolerate the expansion of what he termed “radical Islamic terrorism” anywhere in the world.
In a Christmas message released shortly after the announcement, Trump praised American troops and sparked controversy with a remark saying, “God bless our military, and Merry Christmas to everyone — including the terrorists who are now dead.”
Following the statement from Washington, the Nigerian government confirmed that foreign military strikes had indeed taken place in parts of northern Nigeria, PulseNets obtained.
The confirmation was given by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, who acknowledged the development but declined to provide details on casualty figures, operational scope, or the extent of coordination between Nigerian and U.S. forces.
Northwest Nigeria has in recent years experienced escalating attacks from bandits, armed groups, and terror-linked factions, resulting in widespread displacement, civilian casualties, and deepening insecurity.
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The region remains a critical security flashpoint for Nigerian authorities and international partners involved in counterterrorism and regional stability efforts.
As of the time of filing this report, Nigeria’s military has yet to issue an official statement clarifying the scale of the U.S. operation or its implications for ongoing counterterrorism strategies in the country, PulseNets reported.
